Reader Rebecca’s 1963 kitchen is in need of some TLC. She already has come up with a great solution to swap a wall oven with a full size stove — which she documented on her blog, The Vintage Life. But now she’s stuck. Rebecca will use Formica aqua boomerang laminate on the counter tops… she has picked out a mosaic tile back splash… and she’s decided on a wall color. Her final dilemma: What color to paint or refinish the faded chippy wood kitchen cabinets?
Rebecca writes:
We are redoing our 1963 kitchen and have decided on an aqua, orange and white palate. We are keeping the current cabinets and my dilemma is what color should the cabinets be. We are considering using the Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformation product but I am stuck as to what color. Our thinking was that the cabinets needed a “refresh”. They are leaning a little yellow and yes there is some damage in a few places. I have attached a couple pics I put together from the Sherman Williams Color Visualizer. [Editor’s note – we did not show these photos – but we made our own, below.] They are crude but give a little bit of a vision of what it could be. One picture is with the cabinets in a darker color and one picture is with the cabinets staying as they are. We thought the painting of the cabinets at least in a darker color really made the other colors pop a little more. So that is what we were thinking. It would be easier to leave them alone but I really think we need to do something with them. We are open to your suggestions.
The counter tops are going to be the Formica aqua boomerang that we bought before they discontinued it.
The back splash is going to be glass mosaic tile from Mosaic Tile Supplies. I used their tile maximizer to create my own blend of white at 70% then aqua and orange at 15% each. Here is a link to their site. Colors we chose are Snow white – KA077, Pumpkin – KD101 and Rochester – KB009. If you haven’t played with it before it is really fun.
We have an aqua oven and I was thinking of putting some of the Formica in the front of the dishwasher like the gal did with her Betty Crocker cookbook cover. We are looking at doing a cork floor in perhaps a lighter cork color. Any painted wall space will be in the Holiday Turquoise from Sherman Williams.
With all this in mind, what is your suggestion on the color of the cabinets?
Thank you for helping me get unstuck!!
5 ideas to repaint or refinish these old wood kitchen cabinets
This first mock up (above) shows what Rebecca’s kitchen would look like with her new counter top, backsplash, flooring and paint choices while keeping the wood cabinets the same color they are now. While I personally like the current look of the natural wood cabinets — I understand her need to paint them — since my kitchen cabinets — which were a similar color and construction — were also heavily chipped and damaged. Using about a gallon of wood putty, several coats of primer and a fresh coating of paint really helped my kitchen feel cleaner and removed the “rough around the edges” feeling. If you want to replicate the look of the natural wood, yes, Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations might be great — you can add just enough glaze (maybe further diluted) at the end to bring out the natural grain after the painting.
Rebecca also is considering painting her cabinets a darker wood toned color like the mock up above. While I like the idea of keeping a wood like finish on the cabinets — this darker color in combination with the other choices — makes me think of the 1970s more than the 1960s. This is fine if that is the look that Rebecca is going for, or if she likes this look — but I was under the impression that she is wanting a more late 50s early 60s look.
My initial thought — if the original wood tone cannot be preserved — was to paint all of the cabinets white. This will help the dishwasher be less obvious — though I would not use the laminate panel in this case. The all-over white will also substantially lighten and brighten the space and really let the fabulous aqua boomerang countertops, aqua appliances and mosaic tile backsplash take center stage. Because of the warm cork flooring it and other color on the walls — the space will not feel too sterile.
Pam suggested trying the mock up above — instead of painting all the cabinets white — paint the bottom cabinets aqua.
Or even going as far as to paint all the cabinets aqua (like the above mock up) and making the wall orange to match the tile?
Readers — what do you think that Rebecca should do with her cabinets?
Aleta says
I like the original wood for the cabinets, but then, I do like ‘original’ anything 🙂 and I agree with BungalowBill in that the ‘space’ next to the window needs to be tiled also. And, about the ceiling – how about a skylight? with track/spots around the edge or under the cabinet lighting?
Erika says
I love the white and aqua combo. I agree with the suggestion of moving the tile up the wall by the window OR try adding some type of shelves in that area with some retro items in orange.
Karin M says
Paint the face frame aqua and the cabinet doors orange. The house I grew up in (built in 1964) got stale in the 70s and my mom did the same thing (but with HER color choices) It will make it fresh and fun!
Chase says
I like the idea of seeing how well you can fix up the original finish on the cabinets. As somebody else mentioned, Howard’s Restore-a-Finish is a fantastic product, but it may give you difficulty if applying over a heavily varnished surface.
My second suggestion would be to paint the cabinets white, and then add an orange stripe around the top of the base cabinets that is about as tall as the drawers, or even go with a thin stripe that is maybe an inch or two in height that goes through the center of the drawers. It will help break up all of the white, which seems like a little too much when all of the cabinets are painted that color.
A third suggestion is to paint the upper cabinets one color, and the lower cabinets another. I’d suggest a slightly lighter shade of aqua or orange than what you use on the wall/formica and the backsplash so that it doesn’t blend in so much.
Remember, this is your kitchen, do what you like and have fun with it! For the most part it is just paint, so it can always be undone.
pam kueber says
YES! All these choices… all these reader ideas… could turn out great. HAVE FUN! Follow your heart!
Deborah says
I have similar cabinets and I would never paint them. Their features and quality are so much more evident without layers of paint. I see painted cabinets up close, from time to time, and they always seem to need a fresh coat. Besides, the wood is authentic so it may come down to whether you want to be a restorer or retro remodeler. We chose to restore and have never looked back.
Sarah Stevenson says
I have/had almost the exact same kitchen – and I painted my cabinets the same aqua/white color scheme! I really like it — currently i have the old formica (which is a cream with sparkles) for countertop but hoping replace sometime. I wouldn’t do aqua though – I think its too much.
pam kueber says
We LOVE laminate with sparkles here – it’s really our #1 favorite! Why don’t you like it? See: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/08/28/gold-sparkle-kitchen-counter-top-mine-after-years-of-searching/ and https://retrorenovation.com/2013/02/14/70-vintage-wilsonart-laminate-samples-including-17-glitter-sparkle-laminates/
Sarah Stevenson says
Hi Pam!
Mostly looking to replace since the counter top is in bad shape, some pieces missing etc. Also the sparkle has gold accents whereas the kitchen has stainless and chrome so it kinda clashes with everything else. I also have this crazy cool old vent-a-hood, its Brass with scalloped edge; I’ve never seen it anywhere else. I’m thinking about painting it stainless or a color…not sure. It needs something though!
pam kueber says
Whoever said shelves in the blank wall space by the sink — i LOVE this idea! Match the shelves to the cabinet color. Add tchotchkes.
Emily says
I have to say anything but all white, too much of a washout and doesn’t do much for the counter tops. I like one of the wood options or a two tone option. Also agree that the spot over the sink needs something.
Melissa L. says
I vote for the white as well. I think it really emphasizes the countertops and the tile which I think are lovely. Second choice would be the white/aqua combo. I just put some cork flooring in my bedroom and it is a lovely natural-looking orangey brown. I agree with some of the others that a more vibrant color on the floor would look better.
karen says
I love the natural wood! White as a second choice if it is just in horrible shape. Can’t wait to see some finished pics.
My cabinets are very similar and colored with a light stain like the original photo… am thinking of going with a turquoise/aqua laminate for new counters (we have white formica now) and I LOVE how it looks in the mockups!